Dita Von Teese launches sexy new clothing line

Dita Von Teese said she looked to her profession's storied past for the inspiration of her sexy new clothing line.

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The Los Angeles burlesque star debuted her new collection online and at LA's trendy Decades boutique this week, calling it her homage to stripteases past.

"I have always wanted to do something like this, to recreate vintage pieces in wearable sizes and fabrics," Von Teese told the Los Angeles Times.

The Michigan native's collection thus far consists of just five pieces -- including a coat that harkens back to the 1950s and a red-and-black print dress that retails for $995.

Sizes range from 4 to 16, the Times said.

"I don't claim to be a fashion designer, because I have so much respect for my designer friends and what they do," Von Teese said. "My talent lies in styling myself and choosing vintage pieces that don't make me look like I'm starring in a costume drama."

Von Teese said she adopted her retro look early in her career for practical reasons.

"I started dressing in vintage because I couldn't afford designer clothes," she explained. "I started wearing makeup and coloring my hair and creating this glam persona because I couldn't achieve the sexy model look."